His incredible powers are legendary, his famous red-and-blue costume is unmistakable, and the S-shield emblazoned across his chest is iconic. Born Kal-El on the doomed planet Krypton, rocketed to Earth, and raised by the kindly Kents, he was destined to battle evil as Superman, the Man of Steel. Here's your guide to absolutely everything about the high-flying hero who's been thrilling comics fans for more than seventy years: an amazing A-to-Z compendium that spans the spectrum of all things Superman.
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a complete guide to over 50 years of superheroes on screen! This expanded and updated edition of the 2004 award-winning encyclopedia covers important developments in the popular genre; adds new shows such as Heroes and Zoom; includes the latest films featuring icons like Superman, Spiderman and Batman; and covers even more types of superheroes. Each entry includes a detailed history, cast and credits, episode and film descriptions, critical commentaries, and data on arch-villains, gadgets, comic-book origins and super powers, while placing each production into its historical context. Appendices list common superhero conventions and cliches; incarnations; memorable ad lines; and the best, worst, and most influential productions from 1951 to 2008.
A 4–colour, illustrated best–of–the–best of the comic book world – with writers/creators who launched an industry (Jack Kirby, Stan Lee), amazing graphic novels (Preacher, The Watcher), legendary artists (Jim Lee) and characters as wide–ranging as Archie, The Gay Ghost, Batman, Blue Devil and the Fantastic Four. Never before has there been a single volume of superheroes, graphic novels, strange comic icons, legendary writers and artists of the comic world. Comic Book Encyclopedia is the multiverse of comic legend and lore for every comic–book fan, and for everyone who wants to understand the characters, history, and universal appeal of this world. Collected into a single volume, this is the best–of–the–best of comics. From the 1930s to today, it includes everything a young, budding comic reader – or an experienced pro – needs to know and/or read.
After years of build-up, the Man of Steel discovers the identity of the villainous Mr. Oz in SUPERMAN: ACTION COMICS-THE OZ EFFECT, complete with a lenticular motion cover! Shrouded in mystery for years, the puppetmaster known as Mr. Oz has finally shown his hand. His agents have begun to move as the Man of Steel works to stop the chaos they unleash in Metropolis and across the globe. But when Mr. Oz steps from the shadows, his identity rocks the Last Son of Krypton to his core. Who is he? The answer will change Superman forever. A mystery that has weaved through the pages of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH, DETECTIVE COMICS, ACTION COMICS and even Geoff Johns' SUPERMAN: THE MEN OF TOMORROW, is finally resolved here in SUPERMAN - ACTION COMICS: THE OZ EFFECT! Written by legendary scribe Dan Jurgens and illustrated by a team of superstar artists led by Ryan Sook and Viktor Bogdonavic, this graphic novel features a lenticular motion cover only available in the first print run! Collects SUPERMAN - ACTION COMICS #985-992.